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September is National Disaster Preparedness Month

September 1, 2014

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Across the country, thousands each year are affected by large-scale disasters: Wildfires, floods, hurricanes. Disasters can also occur on a smaller scale, caused by everyday events such as power outages, kitchen fires, or burst water mains—anything that has the potential to significantly disrupt the lives of children and families. But there is good news. While most disasters are impossible to predict, you can plan for them. National Preparedness Month is an annual campaign to encourage Americans to take steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, schools, organizations, businesses, and communities. Preparing can start with four important steps:

Step 1: Be informed about emergencies that could happen in your area, and identify sources of information in your community that will be helpful before, during and after an emergency.
Step 2: Make a family emergency plan.
Step 3: Build an emergency supply kit for work and home.
Step 4: Get involved—consider joining a Community Emergency Response Team or CERT Team, taking a class at your local American Red Cross or volunteering for your local medical reserve corps.

What does being prepared for a disaster mean?

For you and your family, it means having an emergency supply kit so you can be self-reliant for at least three days in case of emergency. It means having a plan for how you will respond and reconnect with your family after an emergency.

Planning resources and additional information is available at www.ready.gov.